About POPS

Eng: aldrin

CAS Number: 309-00-2

Formula: C12H8Cl6

Molecular weight: 364,91 g/mol

Density: 1.6 g/cm3

Water solubility at 20 °C: 0,027 mg/l

Melting point: 104 - 105 °C

Aldrin is a crystalline solid, colorless, odorless. It is a highly toxic chemical (extremely hazardous substance), that is very toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. Used to control locusts, termites, and other pests.

Aldrin forms a whole group of pesticides, consisting of its derivatives. It was widely used in the 1970s. Currently, the production or use of aldrin is prohibited in many countries around the world.

Eng: alpha-, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)

CAS Number: альфа- ГХЦГ 319-84-6, бета- ГХЦГ 319-85-7

Formula: C6H6Cl6

Molecular weight 290,8 g/mol

Density: 1.9 g/cm3

Water solubility at 20 °C: insoluble

Melting point: alpha-HCH 157 °C, beta-HCH 309 °C

Alpha and beta isomers are organochlorine pesticides. They are by-products of lindane production; previously used (including in mixtures with other active ingredients) against harmful agricultural insects and storage pests.

HCH is accumulated by plants growing in HCH contaminated soils. HCH can pass from vegetable feed into cow's milk and other products and further into human food. Toxicity is enhanced by cumulative ability; it accumulates in adipose tissues.

Alpha isomer has an increased ability to penetrate (translocate) into crops.

Beta HCH is absorbed by the soil more strongly than other isomers and is the most persistent in soil and other environments. The beta isomer causes chronic intoxication among warm-blooded.

Pure hexachlorane is a solid, white, powdery substance, practically odorless, unrefined; technical HCH has a musty odor and yellowish-gray color.

Effects on organisms: pesticide, insecticide, ovicide, fumigant.

Eng: chlordane

CAS Number: 57-74-9

Formula: C10H6Cl8

Molecular weight: 409.78 g/mol

Melting point: 106 ℃

Density: 1.61 g/cm3

Water solubility at 20 °C: slightly soluble

Chlordane is an organochlorine compound of the cyclodienics, insecticide with contact and intestinal activity. It was produced in the concentrates, granules, and kerosene liquids.

It is very persistent in the environment.

Pure chlordane is a colorless to slightly amber oily liquid with a faint chlorine-like odor. Technical chlordane is a brown viscous liquid that consists of a mixture containing at least 23 different compounds, including chlordane isomers, other chlorinated hydrocarbons and by-products.

It was used to control gnawing pests on a number of agricultural crops, as well as lawns and garden plantings, and was actively used to control termites.

Eng: chlordecone

CAS Number: 143-50-0

Formula: C10Cl10O

Molecular weight: 490.6 g/mol

Sublimation point: 350 °C (decompose)

Water solubility at 20 °C: slightly soluble

Chlordecone is a synthetic chlorine-containing organic compound. It possesses acute and chronic toxicity. Chlordecone is dangerous for the reproductive system, liver and musculoskeletal system of humans and animals. Chlordecone is highly bioaccumulative and does not degrade in water and soil. It is classified as a probable human carcinogen and highly toxic to aquatic organisms.

Used against leaf-cutting insects, also as a fungicide, especially against scabs and mildew.

Eng: dieldrin

CAS Number: 60-57-1

Formula: C12H8Cl6O

Molecular weight: 380.91 g/mol

Density: 1.75 g/cm3

Sublimation point: 350 °C (decompose)

Water solubility at 20 °C: slightly soluble

Dieldrin is an organochlorine compound, an epoxy, a derivative of aldrin, a stereoisomer of endrin, a highly toxic substance and an unusually powerful versatile insecticide.

Pure dieldrin is a white crystalline solid. Technical dieldrin is a light brown flake with a naphthalene odor.

Dieldrin is used as a termite and pest control agent in textiles, and as a control agent for disease vectors and insects in agricultural land soil.

Eng: endrin

CAS Number: 72-20-8

Formula: C12H8Cl6O

Molecular weight: 380.91 g/mol

Density: 1.84 g/cm3

Melting point: 200°C

Water solubility at 20 °C: 0.24 mg/l

Endrin is an organochlorine compound, a stereoisomer of epoxidized aldrin, one of the extremely toxic and resistant pesticides. It is more than 2 times more toxic than aldrin and 10-12 times more toxic than DDT.

It is a white crystalline substance, an insecticide, used to treat crops such as cotton and cereals. It is also used to control ticks, as a control agent for mice and other rodents.

Eng: heptachlor

CAS Number: 76-44-8

Formula:: C10H5Cl7

Molecular weight: 373.32 g/mol

Density: 1.58 g/cm3

Melting point: 95°C

Water solubility at20 °C: 0.056 mg/l

Heptachlor is an organochlorine compound from the group of polychlorocyclodienes – this is a group of drugs that, after being introduced into the soil, oxidizes relatively quickly. It is also a highly toxic non-systemic insecticide of contact action, very resistant to destruction. Pure heptachlor is a white crystalline powder. Technical heptachlor is a soft, waxy substance of reddish brown color.

It is used to protect sugar beets, corn and other crops from various soil pests. It is widely used to control cotton pests, locusts and other pests, as well as malaria mosquitoes. It is highly toxic, has strong cumulative properties, and it is also a carcinogen.

Eng: Hexabromobiphenyl

CAS Number: 36355-01-8

Formula: C12H4Br6

Molecular weight: 627,62 g/mol

Density: 2,88 g/cm3

Melting point: 72 °C

Water solubility at 20 °C: nsoluble

Hexabromobiphenyl is stable and bioaccumulative. Chronic toxic exposure leads to endocrine disorders, liver diseases, overactive thyroid in workers exposed to polybrominated biphenyls, and an increased incidence of breast cancer in women exposed to this substance.

Hexabromobiphenyl is an industrial chemical that was used in the 1970s as antipyrene, mainly as a fire retardant in thermoplastics in the construction business, in mechanism bodies, in polyurethane foam for interior linings in cars, in industrial and electrical products. Alternatives for all uses of hexabromobiphenyl are available, so banning its use and production is feasible and inexpensive. This chemical is already included in a number of national and international regulations restricting its use and production.

Eng: hexabromodiphenyl and heptabromodiphenyl ether (commercial octabromodiphenyl ether)

CAS Number. Hexabromodiphenyl ether: 36483-60-0

CAS Number. heptabromodiphenyl ether: 68928-80-3

Formula: C12H4Br6O (hexabromodiphenyl ether), C12H3Br7O (heptabromodiphenyl ether)

Molecular weight: 643.58 g/mol (hexabromodiphenyl ether), 729.54 g/mol (heptabromodiphenyl ether)

Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether are industrial substances that are the main components of commercial octabromodiphenyl ether. As a very persistent mixture, it has a high potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification in the food chain as well as for long distance transport.

The only way the degradation can spread is debromination and production of other bromodiphenyl ethers.

Molecules are released into air, water and soil during production and use in consumer products. They can be present in the air in the form of suspended particles, eventually fall on soil or water, with dust settling, with snow or rain. The decomposition of molecules in the soil is very slow.

It is neurotoxic, has the properties of an endocrine disruptor (affects the production of thyroid hormones) and reproductive toxicity (affects the development of the fetus).

It performs the function of a fire retardant agent in the product, slows down the ignition and combustion of the product (antipyrene). It is used specifically for ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastics used in the production of office and household equipment, furniture, toys, medical equipment.

Eng: hexachlorobenzene

CAS Number: 118-74-1

Formula: C6Cl6

Molecular weight: 284.78 g/mol

Density: 1.5691 g/cm3

Point of combustion: 11 °C

Water solubility at 20 °C: insoluble

Hexachlorobenzene (or perchlorobenzene) is an organochlorine compound. It was produced in the form of a light gray powder. It is formed as a by-product in the production of certain chemicals and in the same processes that provide dioxins and furans.

It was used as an insecticide and fungicide (killing fungi that damage food crops). In a mixture with other preparations, it was used for seed treatment of grain crops.

Eng: lindane

CAS Number: 58-89-9

Formula: C6H6Cl6

Molecular weight: 290.83 g/mol

Density: 1.85 g/cm3

Melting point: 113 °C

Water solubility at 20 °C: 8.52 mg/l

For every tonne of lindane produced, there are produced up to eight tonnes of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers.

Research data on the effects of lindane in humans and animals indicate toxicity to the liver, immune system, circulatory system, reproductive function and human development. Lindane is highly toxic to bees and other beneficial insects. Acute lindane poisoning affects the central nervous system, causing vomiting and diarrhea, followed by convulsions. Direct exposure to small amounts of lindane causes headaches, nausea, dizziness, tremors and muscle weakness. Most evaluations of the carcinogenic properties of lindane conclude that lindane may cause cancer.

Lindane was used as a broad spectrum insecticide for processing of seeds and soil, processing of trees and wood. It is widely used to control a wide range of herbivorous and soil pests, pests of human health and animal parasites.

Eng: mirex

CAS Number: 2385-85-5

Formula: C10Cl12

Molecular weight: 545.54 g/mol

Melting point: 485 °C

Water solubility at 20 °C: 0.085 mg/l

Mirex is a moderately toxic pesticide. However, when it enters the stomach or skin of warm-blooded, it has the ability to overcumulate (cumulation coefficient less than 1), causing pathological changes in a number of body systems. It is a white crystalline substance

Mirex was used as an insecticide to control ants and other crop pests. It is used as a fire retardant in plastic, rubber and electrical products. In sealed packaging, it retains its properties for an almost unlimited period of time.